Aeroplane



2 SHEETS-SHEET I Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

W. LASAR.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED 05. 4, 1918. 1,398,729.

W. LASAR.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4, I918.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IN V EN TOR.

TORNEY.

45. i views and referring now to the same:

iran srares'earaar orrice.

WALTER LAsAR, or roar WAYNE, INDIANA.

AEnorLANE.

T 0 all whom it may concern. Be it known that I, \VALTER LASAR, a citizen of the United Statesof America, and resident of Fort lVayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification. i I

This invention relates to improvements in aeroplanes and the objects thereof are to afford a construction by means of which the blast of wind generated by the propeller may be utilized in launching and-in landing the machine; to aiford'an improvedsupporting mechanism adapted to forcibly-liftthe inachine into flying position while, being lannchedand to absorb the usual shock incidental to effecting-a landing; toprovide automatic means for maintaining the long1- tudinal pitch of the machine during flight; to provide means for preventing side-slipping; and to provide a series of planes so constructed and arranged in connection with the machine as to utilize the re-action of the air when depressed by the movement of the machine. q

The above objects may be accomplished by the construction illustrated in the acconn panying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine, parts thereof being cut away and shown in section; j Fig. 2 is a bottom plan'viewof'the'machine; I i:

Fig. Fig. line wm of Fig. 1; V Fig. 5 is a detail'view showing "the construction of the planes; and Fig. dis a detailed view showing a modification of the automatic means for maintaining the pitch of the machine, the view being in thesa'me plane as'Fig. 1.- Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding "p arts throughout the several 3- is a front end elevation 1 is the frame workof-'-the machine to which is secured a succession of planes 2 arranged in opposite pairs. These planes are constructed of a laminated series of sheets 2, of suitable material and of varying breadthsso that the rear edges of the successivesheets extend beyondthe edge of the preceding sheet. each plane is curved the undersurface of each plane are downwardly, and from secured Specification'of Letters'Pa'tent.

4 is a cross-sectional view on the The forward portion of pellers. receive movement one or more flexible drag-wings 2 which are secured respectively at their forward edges to the plane proper. The frame has also secured therein a longitudinal plane 5 arranged horizontally, and two longitudinal planes l arranged vertically, the upper edges of the latteruniting WVltllthe corresponding sides of the former. In the for ward part of the frame are two hinged planes at that normally extend respectively in the same planes as the planes 4, each of the planes 4 being hinged at its forward edge and-adapted to be flexed laterally out v ward. p f,

At the rear of the machineare two flexible planesb arranged horizontally with their I Patented Nov.29,1921. Application filed. December? 4, 1918. Serial No. 265,265. I

chine at a, point above the plane 3 and serves to control the lateralmovements of the machine. In the forward part of the frame is pivotally mounted a deflecting plane 7 and at the extreme front end ofthe frame is arranged arndder '8 hinged at its forward edge so as to swing vertically upona horizontal axis, the purpose of which is for the control .of the vertical movements of the machine. A second adjustable deflecting plane 7 ispositioned in therear portion of the frame and is similar to the deflector 7 A main propeller 9 is positioned in'theframe at a point betweenthe rudder 8 and deflector 7 and an auxiliary mounted inthe rear portlon of the machine,

each propellerbeing rotatable upon alongitudinal axis. Inthe forward upperpart of the frame is mounted upon a'tra'nsversely extending shaft 11' a propeller 12, andin the rear portion of the frame is similarlymounted'upon a transverse shaft 13 a propeller 14., These propellers are for the purpose of preventing the machine from drifting laterally andmay be rotated in either propellers are of that knowntype inwhich the blades are pivoted so that the pitch of the blades maybe alterec. All of the prof from an engine 15 propeller 10 is direction. The i r suitably located in the frame, the transmitting mechanism between the engine and propellers 12 and lt not being shown as any ordinary means may be employed for that purpose.

Another feature of the invention is the launching and landing supports which consist of legs 16 arranged in fore and aft pairs. Each leg is pivoted at its upper end-to the frame, its lower end having a rearwardly turned foot 17 with outwardly projecting spikes 18. Within the frame is mounted a cylinder 19 having a piston 20 therein fixed upon a piston-rod 21 the opposite ends of which project from the corresponding ends of the cylinder. The fore and aft legs 16 are connected together by corresponding rods 22, the aft legs being also connected with the, rear end of the piston-rod 21 by means of a cable 23, and the fore legs being connected with the forward end of the piston-rod by means of a cable 24:. The said cables extend from their respective connections over a corresponding series of idlers 25 so arranged that similar and simultaneous movement will be imparted to all of the legs when the piston is actuated. Air under pressure is applied the cylinder at either end thereof by manipulating a valve 26. A compressed air tank 27 is provided for supplying the cylinder with air.

In Fig. 6 is shown a horizontal rudder 28 having a pendant weighted arm 29, the arm being connected with a plunger 30 that extends into a dash-pot 31, the purpose of the dash-pot being to cause movements of the rudder 28 to lag. The intention is to maintain the rudder in horizontal position by means of the weighted arm.

In this view is also shown a compensating plane 312 having an arm 33 which is con nected by means of a rod 34 with the fore leg 16' so that as the latter is swung forward and backward the compensating plane 32 will correspondingly be tilted upon its pivotal support. The intention is to automatically maintain the longitudinal balance of the machine, through the action of the compensating plane, which may become disturbed somewhat when the legs are swung from one position to another.

' In the operation of the invention, the machine is placed in position for launching by bringing the legs to their .forwardmost position allowing the frame torest close to the ground. The driving propellers 9 and 10 are then set in motion, the blast of air passing backward from the propeller 9 being directed by the deflector 7 downwardly into the space beneath the plane 3 and between the vertical planes 4, and the blast from the propellers 10 being similarly directed by the deflector 7. The force of air passing through the space and against the ground causes the machine to rise, and compressed air is then admitted to the rear end of the cylinder so that the legs are drawn backwardly, thus assisting in lifting the machine into position for flight. The movement of the legs also assists in starting the machine forwardly. The flight is then effected through the action of the propellers.

As the machine proceeds, supported upon the air, by its planes 2 3 and 5, the air encountered by the foremost planes 2 passes beneath their curved forward edges, causing eddies of air to react against the under surface of the planes so that the air is set into rolling movement, and the successive planes 2 ride over the rolling air and the support afforded the machine is thereby enhanced by the rolling effect of the air. The friction between the drag-wings 2" and the rolling eddies of air enhances the rolling action of the latter and the pressure of the air against the drag-wings enhances the buoyancy of the machine as it travels over the rolling eddies. The longitudinal vertically disposed planes 4 tend to prevent sidewise movement and tilting of the machine, and the adjustable planes 4' may be shifted from their longitudinal position outwardly. When one or the other of these planes are shifted the tendency is to divert air to one side with the effect of steering the machine accordingly toward the opposite side. By flexing the two tail-planes 5 vertically in opposite directions the lateral balance of the machine is altered, and its steerage aided. .The rudder 6 at the rear acts in the usual capacity of steering the machine in lateral directions, while the rudder 8 atthe forward end directs the front of the machine in vertical directions. The lateral position of the machine may be maintained. against sidepressure of the wind by setting the propellers 12 and 14 in motion. 7

In making a landing the legs 16 are'moved to their forward position so that the feet will extend forwardly when the ground is reached. The friction of the spiked feet against the ground, as the machine moves thereover, tends to swing the legs backwardly. At this time the valve 26 is left closed so that the piston resists the movements of the legs through the medium of the connecting cables and rods 22, because of the compression of air in the cylinder. The blast of air from the propellers 9 and 10 passing down through the space between the planes 4 and against the ground lends a cushioning effect as the machine comes to position to the other. The purpose of the plane 28 having the weighted arm is to automatically steer the machine in horizontal directions. The plane 28 being held at all times in horizontal position by means of the weight, regardless of the longitudinal pitch of the frame, tends to direct the machine accordingly into a gliding course, without performance upon the part of the navigator. The manual controls and their respective connecting means for operating the various rudders and balancing planes and for adjusting the blades of the several propellers have not been included in. the drawings, inasmuch as ordinary expedients may be applied in each case for that purpose.

IVhat I claim is 1. In an aeroplane, a frame; three contiguous planes two of which are-arranged vertically, and the other horizontally, there being a space extending between the vertical planes and beneath the horizontal plane; a succession of planes arranged in opposite pairs each extending laterally in the frame; air propelling means; deflecting means adapted to direct air from the propelling means into the space between'the three contiguous planes; and means for governing the course of the machine during flight.

2. In an aeroplane, a succession of laterally extending planes arranged in opposite pairs in a common plane; three contiguous longitudinal planes located between the pairs of lateral planes, two of which are arranged vertically and the other horizontally, there being a space between the vertical planes and beneath the horizontal plane; air propelling means adapted to direct air into the space between the longitudinal planes; and means for governing the course of the aeroplane during flight.

3. In an aeroplane, a horizontal plane extending longitudinally, a longitudinal plane extending vertically downward from each side of the former plane and being contiguous therewith; a pair of horizontal tailplanes extending rearwardly and being adapted to be flexed vertically; a succession of laterally extending planes arranged in opposite pairs in a common plane; and

means for propelling and steering the craft while in flight.

4:. In apparatus of the class described, a succession of laterally extending planes; three contiguous longitudinal planes two of which extend downwardly from the corresponding sides of the other plane, there being a space between the former legs for supporting the machine, pivoted at their upon the corresponding opposite sides thereof, and being adapted to be swung forwardly and backwardly; means for actuating the legs; means for propelling and steering the craft while in flight, and also for directing air into the space between the longitudinal planes during launching and landing operations.

5. In apparatus of the class described, contiguous longitudinal planes extending respectively in horizontal and vertical arrangement; a succession of laterally extending planes arranged in opposite pairs; means for propelling the apparatus lengthwise; one or more propellers independent of the former propelling means adapted to effect the side movements of the apparatus; and means for steering the apparatus while in flight.

upper ends 6. In an aeroplane having a frame, two

pairs of legs in pivotal connection with the frame extendlng rearwardly from their connections and adapted to be moved to positions respectively with their feet extending forward of their respective pivotal connections; means in connectlon wlth the legs for actuating them simultaneously so as to 'support the frame above the ground; and a compensating plane pivoted transversely in the frame and having connected relation withv tilted accordingly the legs so as to become as the legs are actuated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER LASAR. Witnesses: l

h/IATILDA h/Inrrnna, SOPHIA Harms. 

